US lifts travel ban for vaccinated international tourists

After more than 600 days, the U.S. lifted its COVID-19 travel ban for vaccinated tourists.

Associated Press, USA TODAY

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday moved the Netherlands, Cayman Islands, Luxembourg and Faroe Islands into its "Level 4"travel advisory, which includes destinations it considers to have "very high"levels of COVID-19.

U.S. travelers should avoid Level 4 destinations or befully vaccinated before arriving if travel is essential, per CDC guidance.The federal agencylooks at countries coronavirus case counts, hospitalization rates, testing capacity and more to determine its travel guidance.

The Netherlands'National Institute for Public Health and the Environment reported 76,790 new cases last week, up 45% from the week prior.The Dutch government reimposed face mask requirements last week to help curb the countrys latest COVID-19 surge.

Hold off on that flight to the Caribbean: CDC raises travel alert level for Belize, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Coronavirus cases have also spiked in the Cayman Islands. The Caribbean islands reported more than 1,000 confirmed cases last week, more than twice what was reported the week prior, according to data from the World Health Organization.

Other Caribbean destinations, including Belize and Satin Kitts and Nevis, are also included in the Level 4 travel advisory.

Luxembourgs confirmed case count rose 5% to 1,165 last week, according to WHO, and cases in the Faroe Islands, locatedin the North Atlantic Ocean, reported 504 confirmed cases last week, down from the week prior but 155% higher than the week of Oct. 18.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz.

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Visiting the Caribbean or Europe soon? CDC warns travelers to avoid destinations with 'very high' COVID-19 levels - USA TODAY